I feel less stressed
So I have a sd15 who is a completely spoilt, selfish princess who cares of only herself and has no respect for anyone....not even my DH (previous post about an untenable life in teenage step children forum).
After reading all the advice I decided to start to disengage. No more arranging for her friends to come over, no more taking her to appointments, no more letting her use my stuff and more importantly letting DH deal with her as he has major guilt issues and has refused to parent her....choosing instead to play the friend role.
I'm going out to the gym when she gets home as I don't want to be around her. Double the results....lack of stress and an improved body!! Anyway I went last night and she was a brat to her father. He actually punished took her phone off her for a period of time . Not as long as I would have if itihad been my children to me.....but as he's never punished her it's a good start.
I've said to DH that he needs to manage her...I will not be the unpaid help. I will cook for her when I cook for everyone else but that is it....and I'm sticking to it. She asked to borrow my leggings this evening (via text....she wouldn't be polite enough to ask to my face) and I ignored it. She then asked DH to ask me and I said no. dH said he completely understood and relayed my answer. She wasn't happy....probably first time she's been told no by me as I've always said yes for an easy life!! Goodness it felt liberating. Such a small thing, but the impact would be huge.
DH supports me, and although I've not fully disengaged, it's clear to DH and SD15 that I'm no longer a doormat.
Just waiting for the backlash from BM now, as SD15 also managed to like and manipulate her mother too.....although DH has told BM that I will "be taking a step back"
Let's see how it goes and if my resolve stays...
Congratulations on your
Congratulations on your journey to partial disengagment and YES how liberating it is. The smallest things do make the biggest difference and I wish you many more liberating moments.
Thank you.
Thank you.
It's certainly going to be a bumpy road as she's amazingly head strong and answers back to everything....hence the yes to everything on my part... as she is exhausting.
Feeling positive tonight though and it's only been a few days of disengagement
Stick to your guns!!!! And
Stick to your guns!!!! And have fun!
It gets easier with time
All you are doing is pointing out to SD that you want a mutually respective relationship with her. She is approaching adulthood in a world where one must practice give and take to happily succeed in life - at least most of the time. Good for your DH for supporting you. If she starts helping herself to your things, make sure there are consequences.
I will!
If she started taking my things, she will find all of her things iother than her than bed, duvet and pillow will leave her room.
She knows she mustn't come in our room without permission and if she does her door will go from her room! As she hates people going in her room
Oh dear
Oh dear.
It look like SD is in a serious amount of trouble with her school. Luckily I'm off out. DH, SD and BM having emergency meeting tonight. Ill be having a glass of wine
Pop some popcorn, sounds like
Pop some popcorn, sounds like this is going to be good !!!!!!!!!
Do tell? Whats the scoop?
Do tell?
Whats the scoop?
Waiting game
School meeting today - waiting to find out punishment from them....may include suspension. Basically she's been a bully via social media.
Parents won't discilpline her, but have ''advised' her to stay off social media. I want to scream at them to parent and provide serious consequences, but won't be saying a word. Their problem that they've bought on themselves. I'm offering a supportive ear to DH and otherwise staying well clear of this!!
Lololol....Ooo did they *gasp
Lololol....Ooo did they *gasp* "talk to her"? No, really, she understands and won't do it agian? She KNOWS they mean it this time?
Hahahaha
Perfect! Don't comment, ask
Perfect! Don't comment, ask questions, or show any interest. If you are disengaging do it completely. You can listen but not participate in any way, shape, or form.
Good for you!
Not being suspended as out if
Not being suspended as out if character - she saves the temper and rudeness for home then.
She's been grounded and social media taken away
I feel less stressed too
My disengagement was very recent so I'm still working on keeping my opionions to myself 100% of the time, but I'm already feeling better. When SO talks about SD, I strive to politely listen and then change the subject. If I'm feeling generous, I might say something positive and brief, but then move on. I slip sometimes, but for the most part, staying out of it has really brought me peace.
Easier
You're doing great! Believe me - it gets easier ane better as time goes on. Almost 8 years of total disengaagement for me and no regrets.
Relief
Good for you! caring for yourself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation. Disengagement does not mean you don't care, because I'm sure you do; however, it does allow you to cause yourself the stress and disturbance the comes along with taking things on fully. I've only been in for a few years now, but since I've laid down some strict rules and pull back my emotional & physical involvement things have been a lot better. One thing that really bothered me was the BM would call very early (5 AM) in the morning or very late at night (11 PM). I told DH to relay to BM that she should not call at those hours unless her house is burning. I decided that my house will be peaceful for everyone under it- point blank period. And, if foolishness from BM or SS enters my house I will go to great length to eradicate it immediately. BM consistently makes poor decisions in her life and for her child, and I used to trip and fill the gaps. I don't go out of my way anymore to close the gaps. I'm nice and loving typically to SS unless he breaks my house rules (same deal for my BS). Disengagement is freedom--and no more mental gymnastics. BS comes over and plays video games almost all weekend just stopping to eat. before I use to stop and take him out...now I simply allow him to stay in his room door closed and play to is heart content. If DH & BM don't mind and see nothing wrong with that then who am I to say anything. Disengagement as an approach to step-parenting really works. Please don't feel stressed out about any backlash. Continue to show that you care, but on your terms. Teenagers will push, test and manipulate. You may have to put a lock on your closet door if she starts taking your stuff without permission. Let your DH deal with the madness.
Thank you for taking the time
Thank you for taking the time to write that. I remain polite and DH is stepping up. It's hard to remain disengaged, but completely worth it so far.
I'm still in the 'should I
I'm still in the 'should I disengage' phase. After reading some of these posts, I feel more and more each day that it may be the better course....